Move-in and meningitis

As students at area colleges and universities settle into their dorms for the fall semester, nervously meeting new friends and roommates, they will all have at least one thing in common — by law, they have all been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, a deadly and debilitating disease that strikes up to 125 college students per year.

According to a state law that took effect this year, all students must be vaccinated at least 10 days before moving into residence halls.

The law was inspired by Jamie Schanbaum, a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin who lost both legs and six fingers after contracting the disease in 2008.

At the time, vaccinations were recommended, but not required.

Most schools say they sent copious emails and messages to students to get vaccinated before showing up on campus and have had few problems. At Trinity University, a small group of international students have not been vaccinated and will have to stay at an off-campus house while they wait out the 10-day period, said David Tuttle, dean of students.

“Depending on the health care in their countries, getting the right vaccine might be a challenge,” Tuttle said.